Island



OFFICE.

JEREMIAH HEATH, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

HEEL-SCREW FOR SKATES.

Specification of Letters Patent No skate with my improved heel screw applied` to it. Fig. 2, is a sectional view of the thin stock and solid runner skate with my heel screw applied. These two views will suffice to illustrate the application of my invention to the usual variety of skates.

Similar letters refer to like parts in both figures.

The object of this invention is to enable the skater to secure the heel of his boot,

` where screws are used, to the skate with very little trouble and without the necessity of turning the skate around and around, as is the present practice, until the screw is driven sufficiently far into the heel to hold the skate firmly and rigidly; Also to enable the skater to secure such a skate as that represented by Fig. l, of the drawing to his foot with a screw which at present cannot be done on account of the peculiar formation or configuration of the surface of the stock.

My invention consists in fixing in the center of a suitable wheel furnished with handles, or holes punched in its periphery, a suitable screw which is capable of being rotated with the roller and which, by turning said roller, will be forcibly driven into the heel of the boot either before or after the skate is strapped to the foot as hereinafter described and represented.

In the drawings A, represents a wheel with holes a, punched radially from its axis,

. 27,215, dated February 21, 1860.

around it, made of hard wood or metal with a square hole through its center through which is passed a screw B, having a square stem B', which is pointed on its lower end. This heel screw and roller are applied to the skates by recessing the runner D, as in Fig. 2, or where the skates have bridge-irons, or runners, like Fig. l, the punched wheel is placed under the hole made through the heel portion of the stock E, and the stem of screw B, inserted and fitted into a step in the skate iron, the stem is then suitably keyed to the wheel A, so as to turn with it and the skate is ready for use. To secure such a skate to the heel of the boot or shoe, a hole must have previously been made in the heel with a gimlet or other tool and the skate placed upon the foot to which it may be partially strapped; then with a small pin of a suitable length inserted into the perforations a, it will serve as a lever and the wheel and screw may be easily turned until the screw is driven up into the heel and the heel drawn down tightly upon the stock, the skate may then be further tightened to the foot with the straps.

It will be seen by this description that if two or more such screws were used upon the skates they might be secured to the shoes without straps, as my heel screws can be driven into the leather sole without moving the skate for this purpose.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The wheel and screw arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.

JEREMIAH HEATH.

Witnesses HENRY MARTIN, BENJAMIN VVHIPPLE. 

